AO 2023: Gauff holds off late Raducanu run

In the headline act of the women’s draw on Day 3, Coco Gauff justified top billing with a 6-3 7-6(4) passage past Emma Raducanu at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night.

The world No.7 shone as the front-runner and kept a late Raducanu revival at bay to return to the Australian Open third round for the first time since 2020.

The build-up

They’re two globally-recognised names, and there are striking similarities in the way that both Raducanu and Gauff have been in the limelight from their teens, dealing with incessant hype and expectations following blistering breakouts.

“I’m really looking forward to this match. I’m very up for it,” said 2021 US Open champion Raducanu ahead of the action.

“I think we’re both good, young players, we’re both coming through, part of the next generation of tennis, really. I’m looking forward to the occasion.”

Would it be Gauff or Raducanu who handled that occasion best?

Story of the match

Intense was the buzzword flying around social media, with neither player holding back in the opening exchanges.

The No.7 seed stepped in and rattled a backhand cross-court winner to chalk up a 3-1 advantage.

Raducanu, whose Melbourne Park preparations had been hampered by a left ankle injury, was moving freely and holding her own in plenty of side-to-side, slicing and dicing rallies.

Serving for the set at 5-3, Gauff managed to erase three break-back points for the world No.77 with brave, assertive striking.

Another break for 2-1 in the second set seemingly sent the world No.7 sprinting towards another statement victory.

Raducanu, though, had other ideas. At 3-4 down, the Brit capitalised upon tentative play from Gauff to rip through eight of nine points to flip the script.

The quality kept snowballing, and Raducanu earned two set points at 5-4. A dinked drop shot tipped the net to the Brit’s despair. They rumbled into a tiebreak, and it was Gauff’s Grand Slam grit which saw her escape in straight sets.

“I just told myself to hang in there towards the end. I thought the whole match was great,” stated 2022 Roland-Garros finalist Gauff.

“We both started off rocky, but the match was good quality for the most part considering the circumstances.

“I can imagine both of us were nervous, this was a long-anticipated match basically since the draw came out. So, I’m glad it was a good match.

“When you go into the tournament you have to beat the best. Obviously you hope it’s not the second round, but what can you do? I’m glad both of us handled the pressure pretty well.

“Kudos to Emma, I know she had a tough week in Auckland, so really good for her for playing at this level after I guess such a scary moment.”

Key stats
The teenage sensation is the first women’s player to win 100 WTA-level main draw matches before turning 19 since Caroline Wozniacki in Madrid 2009.

When Raducanu was building a second-set comeback, Gauff did so well when on the back foot. A major benefit was Gauff’s variety on serve – height or flat, speed or spin, Raducanu was always guessing.

The American landed 72 per cent of first serves and succeeded in 43 of 65 of those points.

What this means for Gauff

Gauff hasn’t entered many Grand Slams as one of the favourites, but she seems to be taking it all in her stride.

The 18-year-old won all 10 sets to lift the Auckland title and has won all four thus far in Melbourne. Gauff is dialled in and particularly impressive when down in games, finding a route out.

Next up the world No.7 will face either No.29 seed Zheng Qinwen or Bernarda Pera.

What’s next for Raducanu?

Last year was nasty for Raducanu, who endured a multitude of injury concerns. On top of that, the Brit has had to overcome the ankle roll in Auckland.

Wednesday’s performance on Rod Laver Arena illustrated the world No.77 is on an upwards trajectory.

If the 20-year-old can remain fit and on court for a sustained period, then she’ll start accumulating plenty of victories in the next few months.

Source: Alex Sharp

www.sports24ghana.com